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Effective Leaders

Leaders are critical in the learning process. Are you an effective leader?

ARTICLES - General

5 attitudes to accelerate leadership development in 2015 by Mike Henry Sr.(SmartBlog). The best leaders have their heads in the right place, writes Mike Henry Sr. That means adjusting your attitude to ensure you're providing clear, accountable leadership, aren't overly intolerant of chaos and failure and aren't ignoring big problems.

Can't Wait for Monday In the face of unfair criticism and unreasonable demands, educators must stick together and keep their eyes on the prize by Rafe Esquith (ASCD).

Eliminating the Blame Game by Kristen Swanson, Gayle Allen and Rob Mancabelli (ASCD). When used systemically, data can make a push for change seem less personal. "The issue isn't about you or me; it's about the goal we're trying to achieve," write Kristen Swanson, Gayle Allen and Rob Mancabelli in this Educational Leadership article. The authors explain that it is instinctive in human nature to judge others, but that judging gets in the way of finding solutions. When we're aware of this challenge, we can use data to tackle system-level issues with success.

Get Uncomfortable: Grow As Leader by Danielle Brown (ASCD). "One of the biggest changes I made as a leader in my classroom, district, state, and now at the national level was to get uncomfortable ... I am talking about the sweaty palms uncomfortable, the uneasy stomach uncomfortable, the cracking voice uncomfortable -- the uncomfortable that can be fleeting if you push through it," writes Danielle Brown in a new Inservice blog post. Brown shares four recommendations for getting uncomfortable to grow as a leader.

Igniting Teacher Leadership in Your School by William Sterrett (ASCD). In this blog post on ASCD EDge, author and educator Bill Sterrett shares five ideas to ignite teacher leadership in your school, including by defining and supporting teacher leadership goals and affirming the professional efforts of teachers. "To do anything meaningful to improve the school and to sustain success, the principal must involve teachers," Sterrett writes. "Teachers and principals are not finished products; we must continually seek to learn, grow, reflect, and change."

One to Grow On / Communication That Powers Leadership by Carol Ann Tomlinson (ASCD). "Even when a leader is delivering a corrective message, the message needs to dignify those who hear it," writes ASCD author Carol Ann Tomlinson. In her April Educational Leadership column, Tomlinson discusses how leaders can empower teachers through communication and how teachers enact leadership. She also shares seven characteristics of effective communication.

School leader describes one manageable change by Olympia A. Williams (SmartBlog). School schedules should be designed to best support student achievement, principal Olympia Williams writes in this blog post. "It is important to keep in mind that we only have students for a few hours in the day so we need to maximize and focus our efforts to make sure that none of that precious time is wasted," she writes.

Teacherpreneurs: Changing education from the inside out by Barnett Berry (SmartBlog). Teacherpreneurs -- those who split their time in the classroom with other leadership responsibilities -- are helping to redefine teacher-leadership, Barnett Berry, founder and CEO of the Center for Teaching Quality, writes in this blog post. He highlights the work of several CTQ teacherpreneurs.

WEBSITES

"BEING LEADERS" ARTICLES

What 7 principals wish they knew their first day on the job by Roger Riddell (Education Week). In this article, seven school principals share what they wish they had known on their first day on the job. Susan Kessler, executive principal at Hunters Lane High School in Nashville, Tenn., says she wish she knew that principals operate in a "fishbowl." "Everybody sees everything you do," she says.

15 Things Every Teacher Needs from a Principal by Ryan Thomas (ASCD Edge). "'Principalship' entails many things, but at its core, it is -- and has always been -- about building trusting relationships," writes ASCD EDge community member Ryan Thomas. In a recent blog post, Thomas explains why it's important for principals to build relationships with their teachers. Thomas also shares a list of 15 things that every teacher needs from their principal starting with knowing their principal will deal with their problems directly and privately.

The Attitude Of The Leader by Baruti Kafele (ASCD). "I will always maintain that a school with a leader who believes that he or she is the number one determinant of the success or failure of their student body is a school with a leader who possesses a solid attitude for success," writes ASCD author Baruti Kafele. In a recent Inservice post, Kafele gives a sneak peek into his session at ASCD's Conference on Educational Leadership and shares five questions every leader should ask themselves.

The Four I's of Teacher Leadership by Anthony Colucci (Education Week Teacher). Schools need teachers to take on leadership roles, argues elementary school teacher Anthony Colucci. But those leadership roles are only valuable when they don't stifle teachers' creativity and individuality.

The Challenges of School Leadership: A Commentary Collection (Education Week). "Education Week Commentary editors invited school leaders from across the country to write about their biggest professional challenges and how they manage them. The package also includes audio slideshows, in which each of the four principals discusses what he or she would most like policymakers to know about the job."

Leading with Grace and Poise: 5 Principles for Principals by Ryan Thomas (ASCD). "Your attitude sets a precedent for the rest of the school, so when you walk into the office, scowl or give a half-hearted hello to the staff and students, count on it resonating -- and not in a way you want it to," writes ASCD EDge community member Ryan Thomas. In a recent blog post, Thomas shares five tips all principals should live by.

Visibility high priority for principals by Michael Hooker (EducationHQ). Principals must be willing to be visible as leaders, principal Michael Hooker writes in this commentary. "Being a highly visible principal is a practice that enables greater contact with all key stakeholders within the school community," he writes. "It is time well spent."

BEING A TEACHER AND A LEADER (DUAL ROLES)

Leadership Matters: The Dual Role of Leader and Teacher by Peter DeWitt (Education Week Teacher). Teachers who operate as both classroom educators and school leaders can find it difficult to juggle all of the varied responsibilities, fifth-grade teacher Barry Saide writes in this commentary. Saide gives a personal account on how to manage the dual roles.

COACHING TEACHERS

A research-based approach to instructional coaching by Jason Stricker (ASCD). An effective instructional coach can be the key to improved professional growth, Jason Stricker, co‐founder and CEO of Insight Education Group, and a former educator, writes in this blog post. He suggests that successful coaching requires a balance of context and content.

Coaching the school district coaches (best practices for administrators coaching administrators) by Charles Young and Lisa Gonzales (DA). Coaching an instructional coach can be challenging, school district leaders Charles Young and Lisa Gonzales write. In this commentary, they explain why coaching other leaders is necessary and explain different approaches for coaching a coach.

Empowerment: The key to excellent teachers in schools by Carol Hunter (SmartBlog). Empowerment is the key to developing top teachers for U.S. schools, asserts Carol Hunter, a retired elementary-school principal and author. In this blog post, Hunter writes that, among other things, school leaders must hire the right people, and then trust and empower them to make a difference in schools and for students.

CONFLICT

Managing Conflict in School Leadership Teams by Elena Aguilar (Edutopia). Tips to help school leaders manage conflict. School leaders sometimes must manage unhealthy conflict on their teams, transformational leadership coach Elena Aguilar writs in this blog post. She suggests strategies to address conflict, noting that not all conflict is bad.

CHANGE

The truth about people and change — and what to do about it by Tara Seager (SmartBlog).Most people don't want to change and don't have to, Tara Seager writes. Thus, change initiatives must focus on winning hearts and minds, overcoming fear and resistance, and modeling and reinforcing desired behaviors. "Leaders must influence people to join them on their journey," Seager writes.

EMAIL STRESS

Improve the Way Your School Uses Email by Frank Buck (MiddleWeb). Simple practices can help make managing email less stressful, writes Frank Buck, a former middle-level teacher, principal and central office administrator. In this blog post, Buck offers best practices to help simplify the process.

MENTORING

Teacher Leadership: Exception or Norm? by David B. Cohen (Education Week). Thinking of teachers as only being responsible for the students in one classroom, and not being engaged in some form of professional leadership, will not transform schools or the profession, writes David Cohen.

REFORM and CHANGE

How Leaders Can Accomplish More by Doing Less by Laura Varlas (ASCD). Our systems have become too complex, said Closing General Session speaker Mike Schmoker. "The real cost of complexity is stagnation. We get barely any improvement, even though we have lots of change." What do overwhelmed leaders need to do to be more effective?

Perspectives / Five Myths About School Improvement by Marge Scherer (ASCD). "Evidence abounds that educators are hard at work improving schools. More support from policy-makers for internal efforts would go a long way toward making them more successful," writes editor in chief of Educational Leadership Marge Scherer. In her recent Educational Leadership column, Scherer dispels common myths about school improvement.

School reforms that actually work by Valerie Strauss (Washington Post). Leadership, instructional guidance and a willingness to innovate are some of the components of successful school reforms, Gary Ravani, veteran teacher and president of the California Federation of Teachers' Early Childhood/K-12 Council, writes in this blog post. Here, he profiles what works in school reform.

TEACHER EVALUATIONS

TECHNOLOGY and Leaders

5 Reasons Every Principal Should Have a Blog by Ryan Thomas (ASCD). "Not only is it free to blog, but it requires little upkeep or technical know how to reach a much wider audience than many of us ever thought possible," writes ASCD EDge community member Ryan Thomas. In a recent blog post, Thomas shares the top five reasons every principal should have their own blog.

15 Apps Every Principal Should Have by Greg Thompson (The Journal). This article lists 15 mobile applications that every principal should be aware of, including some that allow administrators to collaborate, connect and communicate.

In Pursuit of Harmony: IT and Personnel Share Success Stories (Notable innovation happens when IT and instructional personnel collaborate) by Jennifer Roland. It can be difficult for school personnel and IT professionals to work together effectively, according to this article, which showcases several districts that are getting it right. Their suggestions include ensuring that all stakeholders have a place at the table, helping departments work together, empowering teacher-leaders and giving students a voice

What research says about classroom technology by Matt Renwick (ASCD). The integration of classroom technology should be purposeful, principal Matt Renwick writes in this blog post. He shares three research-based assertions to help guide educators' decisions to use technology in teaching and learning.

THE EMERGING LEADER

4 strategies to build strong teacher leadership by Laura Devaney (eSchool News). Clearly defining teacher leadership is the first step in developing teacher-leaders, according to a recent report. The report offers four strategies to help develop leaders and highlights one school and two districts that have successfully adopted systems to cultivate teacher-leaders.

Can a Leader Be an Introvert? by Jill Berkowicz and Ann Myers (Education Week). School leaders must create opportunities for more passive, introverted teachers and staff to contribute and grow into leadership roles, K-12 leadership experts Jill Berkowicz and Ann Myers suggest in this blog post. "Encourage teacher leadership, but be sure to recognize not all teacher leaders will be the joiners or the do-ers, but may have important thinking to contribute," they write.

What to Consider When Taking On a Leadership Role by Dawn Imada Chan (ASCD). "Having clear expectations and an understanding of what the future may look like will help you and your support system identify priorities," writes educator and ASCD emerging leader Dawn Imada Chan. In a recent ASCD Express article, Chan shares tips that will help new principals spend their time and energy where it matters most.